The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-13

not about, and either Amelia or her aunt had
remained i'll the bedroom continually
Still the box was gone, and it must have had
some outside means of loeomotiOn.
AS might have been expected, / almost in
| stantly pitched upon Saxby as the thief.
| felt convinced Of it, although there was
nothing suspicious i'll the young mans man.
ner.
The difficulty before me was to reach the
truth i'll such manner that no point of refu-
tation would be left. I must not only show
him to be the guilty party but also recover the
stolen property, the larger portion of which
| would be readily negotiable, and could be dis
| posed of with little risk of detection.
was asked to remain for lunch, and re-
curing sometime for thought, accepted the
invitation.
Soon the elder lady, Saxby and myself were
seated at the table, Amelia being too indis-
posed to join us, and the most rigid silence pre-
vailed for some time
was employed in secretly watching Saxby,
Who'll soon discovered, enjoyed the entirecon-
idence of our kind-hearted hostess.
She had already astonished him with the Sc
cret OF who | was, and the occasion of my
presence at the cottage.
When the meal was over and the old lady
had gone to look after her niece's comfort,
SaXby entered into lengthy conversation
with me.
He talked well. but was much too ready in
his suggestions as to the missing securities, and
| the longer / remained with him the stronger
became my prejudice against him.
After much agitation l. decided that it was
| only necessary to give the suspect ''rope
enough and he would hang himself" must
| be on hand however, to see that he did not slip
| his head from the moose.
| conceived d plan and began to act upon it
| at once.
| 1 assumed a confidential manner, aud in
| formed the young man that had thought of
| some circumstances relating to the missing
| bonds, in which thought he could assist me.
IF You will go into the city with me" L
continued 81 will toll mr. -
| Saxby consented to this proceeding without
| the least show of reluctance, and we set out
together.
While upon the way I feigned story to
| amuse him, and limited, in distant way, that
| l was inclined to think that Mr.. Holmes sis
| ter-in-law knew more of the missing yaluables
| than any other person. concluded by request
ing him to watch the old ladys movements.
| To do SaXby justice, he defended the good
woman warmly and grew quite indignant at
my "venomous CHARGE" which I excused by
| telling him that it was necessary to take every
precaution.
| When we reached Chicago, took the young
man to the central police office, and prepared
| to carry out the real motive for my action.
| While caused Saxby to be detained in con-
| versation by a brother otficer,a photographer
| with his camera placed behind a screen for The
occasion, sldlfully pictured the mans features.
Then dismissed him; bat was careful to
| Keep him in view until he left the city.
Before another day had rolled around pho
| tograph OF the young man was in the Office of
nearly every broker in the city.
| Time passed, and the scheme bore no fruit;
| Mr.. Holmes had been in his grave nearly
month. and his daughters fortune was still
| undiscovered.
L had been playing waiting game hereto
fore; but now decided to commence a de-
| cided action.
| L had not lost sight of Saxby during this in
terval, for skilful shadow had kept his move
ments continually under inspection; but he
had remained quietly at the farm and it had
| come to nothing.
| But one day the shadow came to me in per-
| son-Saxby was i'll town.
| He only made few purchases and returned
at nightfall. Evidently if Saxby was the thief
| he was upon his guard.
| 1T occurred to me to take advantage Of his
| absence to visit the cottage.
| Both ladies received me very cordially and
| had a long story to tell of their pecuniary en-
| barrassments. Their little home could not
| readily be converted into cash for anything like
| its value, and, if it could, the idea Of parting
| with it was uubearabie
SaXby, the elder lady told me, during short
| absence of her neice from the room, had lately
received remittance from his relatives, and
| they depended upon him for the present.
| But the old lady told me- with sad shake
| of the head, that the young man had MAIL
ner quite foreign to what she had hitherto
| known of him.
| He had proposed marriage to Amelia, stat
| ing to her that he was IN daily expectation of q
sum Of money from his friends, which would
| place him a condition to provide for her aunt
as well as herself pleasant home.
Amelia had rejected his offer, however, and
Saxbys usual kindness had not been proof
| against the rebuff.
1t was plain from the old lady's manner Of
telling the story that she did not exactly coin
eide with Amelia in her action; but she was
much troubled at the difficulties before them.
| 'If Miss Holmes would consent to follow
| my directions said |, there is no doubt you
I,,tf h,
ments."
ain what manner?" asked the young lady,
| who re-entercd at that juncture.
! "By the recovery Of the lost treasures. 1t is
merely an experiment; but its success would
place you and your aunt above want for the
! future"
When I saw that their curiosity was aroused,
! / communicated my plan.
| 1t was for Amelia to favor Saxby's suit for
the time, and make it condition that, before
! her final consent to the marriage was given
her aunt should be provided for by moderate
| settlement
1t was very evident that the ladies did not
understand me, and / was exceedingly eau
! tious in enlightening them.
Amelia began By declining my advice; but
| after a long interview and promise on my
| part that no harm should come from the ar
| rangement, she consented.
! returned to town quite jubilant, thinking
| that my success was as good as assured
! left the inmates at the cottage considerably
| mySUllcu, lDf 4 udu ACCUSED no one OF Ihe rob-
| berry, and they could not discern in what d.
! rection my scheme tended.
| Not many days had passed when Saxby
| came again to town.
| The shadow SAW him safely seated in the
reading room Of one Of the hotels aud came to
warn me in haste.
! We concluded that the young man had come
| on business" this time for ii was early in the
! duy, and lie seemed more than usually
| thoughtful.
/ / dOnned disguise through which thought
| SaXby would be unable 10 identify me if he
! should chance to notice my proximity, and
was soon in front Of the hotel
/ My ally had informed inc that Saxby had
/ already been into the street where the princl-
| pal brokers offices were located.
/ lie had arrived too early, however, for his
/ purpose, and had returned TO the hotel to wait
/ until business opened.
So / concluded, and, when / saw him upon
/ the street again, pau6ing occasionally to glance
| into the windows where the signs told that
( stocks and bonds were bought and sold, was
in no way surprised, and prepared TO swoop
/ down upon him al tie proper moment.
I At last he seemed TO find place 70 his fancy
I and entered hastily, casting over his shoulder
/ as be did 50 that peculiar peculiar glance
/ which denotes the uneasy conscience.